Why AIDS is a workplace issue
AIDS is a workplace issue because it affects workers and the families, enterprises and communities which depend on them. At the same time, the workplace has a vital role to play in the wider struggle to control the epidemic. Workplace programmes support prevention, expand access to care and treatment, and promote non-discrimination. > More
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News from ILO/AIDS
News from ICASA - African employers respond to HIV/AIDS
The Pan-African Employers' Confederation (PEC) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together representatives from employers' organizations and companies in a satellite session held on Sunday 7 December. It provided the opportunity for key actors to discuss good practices in mobilizing enterprises, company clinics, employees, families and surrounding communities to deliver essential HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and - above all - create an open and non-discriminatory environment.
"Employers' organizations in Africa appreciate the importance of partnerships with the National AIDS Programme and this is why the Pan African Employers' Confederation is grateful to the Minister of Health of Senegal, Dr. Safiatou Thiam, for her close working relations with the Senegalese Employers' Federation'', said Azad Jeetun, PEC Secretary-General. ''The national AIDS response needs to be well coordinated and inclusive of the various stakeholders in the country in order to be effective." Frederick Muia, IOE Senior Adviser, appealed to the various financial and technical agencies to support the work being carried out by employers' organizations in Africa in order to benefit small enterprises and the local community. Mr. Muia also announced the launch of a new publication on African employers' good practices on HIV/AIDS in 2009. > Read the announcement brochure English or Français
ICASA round-up: Vital role of the world of work in national AIDS response
The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) closed on 7 December. In a series of events mobilizing actors from private and public workplaces, the ILO underlined the importance of concerted efforts in the world of work for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. > Read more in English or Français
News from ICASA: The impact of HIV/AIDS on public sector employees
In addition to meetings showcasing the HIV/AIDS programmes of private companies and business coalitions, the ILO - with GTZ - presented good practices and lessons learned from the HIV/AIDS workplace programmes of ministries and public authorities in a range of countries.
> Read more
News from ICASA: special session on new HIV/AIDS labour standard
The ILO brought together the Senegal Ministry of Labour, employers' and workers' organizations, and United Nations representatives on 4 December to present information and share views on the new Recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. Mr. Mamadou Sow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, expressed his support for the Recommendation, explaining the need to address the impact of AIDS on enterprises and build on best practices. Mr. Assane Diop, ILO Executive Director, Social Protection Sector, explained how workplaces have become centres of hope and effective entry points for access to prevention, treatment, care and support. > Read more in English or Français
News from ICASA: building a comprehensive private sector response
Representatives of employers' and workers' organizations, national business coalitions, multinational companies together with small, medium and micro enterprises put their heads together at a satellite session jointly organized by the ILO and UNAIDS to discuss ways of expanding the private sector response. They've agreed to keep pooling efforts to build a more inclusive and coherent private sector response. > Read more
News from ICASA: Workplace leaders pledge to act on HIV/AIDS
Over 50 leaders from the world of work gathered on 4 December at the invitation of the ILO for a group photo and common pledge. All the delegates had earlier visited the Workplace Leaders Pledge Centre and committed themselves to implementing specific initiatives to address HIV/AIDS in their own workplaces once home. > Read more
News from ICASA: Post-exposure prophylaxis to protect front-line workers
The ILO and the WHO organized a satellite session to present and invite discussion of new joint guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and HIV/AIDS. PEP is the provision of preventive measures within 72 hours of exposure to HIV. The new guidelines have been created to explain the efficacy of PEP, the dosage and combination of ARVs to use, conditions of use and ethical implications, including issues of compensation. The guidelines provide a strong case for national authorities to include PEP provision in their HIV policies. > Read more
Trade unions leaders speak out on World AIDS Day
Trade unions in all regions organized advocacy and education activities for World AIDS Day, while national and international leaders reiterated their commitment to union and workplace action on HIV/AIDS.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) issued a call on governments to step up action to combat the HIV pandemic and ensure access to treatment for all HIV-positive people. "Tackling the pandemic must be a central objective of governments, and the global economic crisis must not be allowed to detract from this effort. Hard-pressed health systems in many of the most affected countries must receive adequate funding to ensure delivery," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. > Read more
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary of ITUC-AFRICA, urged the G8 members to fulfil their commitments on Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, and engaged African national trade unions and all in civil society to join in actions. > Read more
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) echoed African trade union leaders and pledged to boost efforts to strengthen accountability by Canada and other G8 countries for promises made on HIV/AIDS. CLC President Ken Georgetti urged the Canadian Government to provide effective leadership on HIV/AIDS commitments, especially once it takes over the G8 presidency. He stressed that the current global financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to cut back on resources needed for HIV/AIDS. > Read more
The UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) launched two new HIV/AIDS projects in Africa with a particular focus on stigma and discrimination. TUC Aid - the development arm of the UK trade unions - will be assisting the Timber Workers' Union (TWU) in Ghana and the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) in Uganda. > Read more
Education International (EI) organized "One Hour on AIDS" for schools on World AIDS Day. EI produced a kit for teachers to help them adapt their lessons, part of a large- scale campaign to get HIV/AIDS into the schools curriculum throughout the year. > Read more
The newly-elected leaders of the International Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Union (ICEM) showed their leadership by signing a pledge to reaffirm ICEM's commitment to fight AIDS in the workplace. The pledge was signed by all 840 trade union leaders who attended ICEM's 4th World Congress in Bangkok just prior to World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS is a priority for ICEM affiliates in most governing bodies, in women's caucuses, on health and safety committees, and - most importantly - in negotiations with companies. > Read more
The International Transport Federation (ITF) has produced campaign guidelines on World AIDS Day activities and publicity materials for affiliates, with a media pack and case studies on HIV/AIDS and transport workers. During the week leading up to WAD, ITF also organized a sub-regional seminar in Ghana, 'Engaging global terminal operating companies in workplace responses to HIV/AIDS', to develop strategies and action plans targeting port operations. > Read more
Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, urged affiliates to take the lead in combatting discrimination against workers who are HIV-positive or suspected of being so. "Unions are of strategic importance in tackling a disease which mainly affects the young working population, women and the socially vulnerable. Unions in these predominantly female sectors of industry are particularly well-placed to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS at the workplace." > Read more
The Chair of the Global Union AIDS Programme (GUAP) appealed to governments, the international community and other actors to make Universal Access an urgent priority for the next two years, in time for the 2010 target. Wide-scale workplace actions must be part of the response to HIV/AIDS, as to the global economic crisis and development over the long term, said Alan Leather. "Governments must support workplace leaders - shop stewards, health and safety committee members, educators, managers, union officials - men and women who voluntarily give their time to other workers and their families for HIV prevention, care and support." > Read more
Over the past few months, GUAP has organized a programme of events in Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria leading up to and culminating on World AIDS Day. This was done in close cooperation with the World AIDS Campaign as part of its efforts to mobilize and support collaboration between a range of civil society organizations at national level.
Preserving health of workers after accidental exposure to HIV
National authorities are strongly urged to provide HIV post-exposure prophylaxis as part as their national HIV policy, according to a new set of joint guidelines presented today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The guidelines, jointly developed by the ILO and the WHO, were presented and discussed today in a joint satellite session at the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), taking place in Dakar from 3 to 7 December. > Read the guidelines
HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Women in Rural Ethiopia
In rural Ethiopian communities, stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to testing and open disucssion of HIV/AIDS. An exceptional woman is working to break down these barriers in Ethiopia.
> See the video
HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Women in Rural Ethiopia
In rural Ethiopian communities, stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to testing and open disucssion of HIV/AIDS. An exceptional woman is working to break down these barriers in Ethiopia > See the video
Facing the realities in Africa: the ILO at the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), Dakar, Senegal, 3-7 December 2008
The ILO is bringing governments, employers and workers together to demonstrate the effectiveness of workplace responses to HIV/AIDS at ICASA 2008.
The ILO is organizing seven satellite sessions jointly with a range of partners, on key themes such as migration, public and private sector workplace programmes, responses in the mining sector, women in business. On Thursday 4 December, we will hold a special session to discuss the proposed new labour standard on HIV/AIDS, with key workplace actors, including the Minister of Labour of Senegal, employers' and workers' representatives, UN partners, and legal specialists.
In addition the ILO is offering four skills-building workshops and holding a special media event. > Read the programme of ILO activities in English and in Français
The ILO is also presenting an exhibition of posters depicting HIV/AIDS leadership by constituents across the continent. > Read the stories for Benin, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
World AIDS Day 2008 in the World of Work
The ILO and its constituent invite you to take a moment to remember the more than 25 million people who have died as a result of AIDS, and the over 7000 who are newly-infected with HIV each day. At the same time we celebrate the fact that almost three million people with HIV are continuing to live and work as a result of antiretroviral medication.
In response to the epidemic, governments, employers and workers worldwide are leading workplace responses in their countries, empowering workers to protect themselves and their families from HIV, and delivering HIV prevention, care and treatment at and through the workplace.
ILO offices, constituents and workplaces in every region are organizing events to mark World AIDS Day in support of national AIDS programmes. > Read the country round-up and list of activities organized by the ILO
At headquarters, the ILO is presenting an exhibition of Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe, organized by the Ruwa Gallery which was set up in 1990 as a workshop and school as well as a gallery. The sale of sculptures helps maintain the school and support the artists. HIV/AIDS has become a major threat to this unique form of art, as prominent artists succumb to the epidemic. Master artists are prevented from passing on their knowledge, and younger artists are being lost. >Read more about the exhibition
At 12.30 there will be a short ceremony in the ILO Colonnade to open the sculpture exhibition and launch World AIDS Day - we will also form our annual human AIDS ribbon. Join us for the picture.
As in previous years, the ILO is also joining in the Geneva-based activities of the international community and local associations to commemorate World AIDS Day. >For more details: please see the flyers
Empowering employers and workers in the transport sector
The ILO and the international organizations of employers and workers - IRU (International Road Transport Union) and ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) - are holding a three-day training course for managers and workers in the transport sector, based on the new ILO, IRU and ITF toolkit for the road transport sector. >Read more about the event
The world of work emerged as a major theme at the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City
The Conference highlighted the impact of AIDS on the productive population of some of the world's most vulnerable economies, as well as the need for successful mobilization of the workplace as an entry point for AIDS responses.
It also set the stage for discussions on the development of a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS, currently in preparation for approval at the International Labour Conference in 2010
Government, employer and worker representatives, who attended the conference from all regions, jointly conveyed the message that it is not only workplace action but tripartite action in and through the workplace that has proven itself to be effective and sustainable.
"The world of work can offer a lead through tripartite collaboration to create trust, tolerance and respect for rights and human dignity. This is at the heart of the ILO's Decent Work Agenda", said Mexico's Minister of Labour, Dr Javier Lozano Alarcon, who chaired a satellite meeting organized by the ILO to discuss a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS. Speakers included the Minister of Labour of El Salvador, Dr Jose Roberto Espinal, the ILO's Regional Director for the Americas, Mr Jean Maninat.
Speaking on behalf of the employers, Mr Patrick Obath, President of the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), emphasized the ground-breaking role of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work and the lead shown by employers in its implementation.
Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers' Union and workers' spokesperson to the ILO Governing Body, also pointed to the importance of the Code and urged the AIDS community to give workers the chance to use their comparative advantage in reaching communities at the grassroots level.
The Director of the ILO/AIDS Department, Dr Sophia Kisting, affirmed the need for the tripartite constituents of the ILO to have ownership of the process to develop a new HIV/AIDS labour standard, while Mr Michel Sidibe, who spoke on behalf of the UNAIDS family as a whole, said "the world of work is one of the most important spaces to make a difference in the fight against AIDS".
The satellite concluded a series of activities organized or supported by the ILO, as well as a successful programme of activities by the ILO's constituents.
These included a meeting organized by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), which showed the leadership role employers are playing in responses to HIV/AIDS. It also presented the activities they're developing within their own sphere of influence.
The Global Unions AIDS Programme - which brings together the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and ten international union federations covering all major economic sectors - arranged a Labour Forum ahead of the Conference to promote the participation of union members and exchange experiences.
The XVII International AIDS Conference - which gathered more than 20,000 participants from around the globe - provided an important opportunity for the ILO and its constituents to engage with a broad range of workplace stakeholders to discuss HIV work-related issues and future courses of action.
UNAIDS launches 2008 Global Report on AIDS epidemic
The 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic was launched on 29 July at UN Headquarters in New York by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, and Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. Simulataneous launches were held in regional offices of the UN and in Geneva. Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO/AIDS, spoke at the ceremony in Geneva, together with Dr Kevin de Cock, Director of the WHO HIV/AIDS Department, and Dr Paul de Lay, UNAIDS Secretariat.
This report is the most comprehensive to date on the response to AIDS. It includes data from 147 countries against 25 core targets set in the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted in 2001, and the political declaration adopted at the 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS. The information presented in the report enables readers to assess progress made since 2001 and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the AIDS response at country level.
It highlights the significant increase in prevention and treatment services which are producing measurable results particularly with a decreasing number of new HIV infections. But the epidemic is not over in any part of the world as for every 2 people starting on treatment there are 5 new infections. The report clearly shows that stronger measures are needed to turn the epidemic around and prevention remains a priority.
The report also stresses the stability of new infections among women: about half of them are women. About 45% of these were among young people aged 15-24 years.
Universal action on HIV/AIDS at the workplace: the ILO at the XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2008, Mexico City
The ILO will host a series of events at the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, which opens this Sunday, designed to illustrate the growing importance of the workplace in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Its delegation is led by Mr. Jean Maninat, Regional Director for the Americas.
The ILO's Programme on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work (ILO/AIDS) will use the Conference as a global platform for presenting progress in developing a new international labour standard on HIV/AIDS during a satellite session at 18:30 on Thursday 7 August.
The Conference will also see an event on Tuesday 5 August, organized by the International Organization of Employers and supported by the ILO, which will highlight the contribution of the private sector and employers' organizations to national efforts on HIV/AIDS.
The ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will join forces to discuss labour migration and mobility, which are emerging as increasingly critical issues in the design of AIDS responses. UNAIDS, in collaboration with the ILO and IOM, have developed a policy brief focusing on the HIV-related needs and rights of international labour migrants, which will be formally launched on Sunday 3 August at a satellite session at 09.00. See also the policy brief.
The ILO, the World Bank AIDS Campaign Team for Africa (ACTafrica) and UNAIDS will hold a satellite session on their operational and collaborative experiences in responding to HIV/AIDS in the Workplace in Sub-Saharan Africa on Sunday 3 August, at 11:15.
The ILO will host a WORKPLACE ADVICE CENTRE in the networking zone of the Global Village - this will offer advice, materials and the chance to meet and exchange experiences of workplace action. It will be supported by UN Plus, the network of HIV-positive UN staff.
Posters on the responses from employers, workers and governments to HIV/AIDS through the workplace in various countries will be presented from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 August in the Posters exhibition area, Hall D.
See the complete list of ILO events.
To meet with the ILO's representatives at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico and get more information about global, regional and country level responses to HIV/AIDS at the workplace, please go to stand 422 of the Global Village or the ILO desk in the UNAIDS booth - C322 in Exhibition Hall D.
African trade unions ask for G8 better accountability mechanisms about HIV/AIDS
The General Secretary of ITUC-AFRO, Kwasi Adu-Smankwah, has endorsed the call by the Global Union AIDS Programme (GUAP) for trade unions to deliver a message about HIV/AIDS to the Japanese Embassy of their country in preparation to the G8 meeting to be held in July in Japan. This meeting will be an opportunity for the richest countries of the world to discuss African development and universal access to HIV treatment, care and support, as well as the strengthening of health systems generally.
Mr. Adu-Smakwah also encouraged unions to plan their actions as for the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, 28 April, which aims to highlight health system development and delivery under the banner of "Good Occupational Health For All Workers".
More languages!
The Joint ILO-WHO guidelines on health services and HIV/AIDS are now available in Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Russian, and Vietnamese, as well as English, French and Spanish. ILO and WHO staff in country offices are assisting with their dissemination and application.
The ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work has now been translated into 54 language with the recent addition of Chichewa.
Saving Lives, Protecting jobs: impact data and success stories
More than 650 workplaces across the world are now collaborating with the ILO/AIDS SHARE (Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in Enterprises)programme, which today launches its second report, "Saving lives, Protecting jobs" in English and in French.
The report provides findings on the impact of workplace interventions, as well as a collection of good practices and success stories.
It gives an insight into the overall SHARE programme, which has now been running for five years. It includes a special focus on the experiences and achievements of the pioneer country projects in Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Guyana, India and Togo, which are becoming sustainable national programmes. The report also captures major developments, innovations and partnerships from other countries.
The SHARE Programme aims to implement the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work through overcoming discrimination, changing behaviour and facilitating access to services and treatment.
It covers 24 countries and has reached an estimated one million workers to date with the financial support of the United States Department of Labor.
International standard on HIV/AIDS and the world of work: report with extensive new data
To expand and strengthen AIDS responses in the world of work, the ILO Governing Body decided in March 2007 to develop a new labour standard on HIV/AIDS. In preparation, the Office assembled information for an overview 'law and practice' report, including the most comprehensive compilation to date of national laws and policies on HIV/AIDS, covering 170 countries. The report and its accompanying questionnaire have been sent to the ILO's member States for consultation with its constituents on the form and content of the proposed standard. Governments are to reply to the questionnaire in consultation with employers and workers.
The draft standard - an "autonomous Recommendation" - will be discussed at the International Labour Conference in June 2009.
ACCESS THE REPORT IN YOUR LANGUAGE:
> English 
> Français 
> Español 
> Arabic 
> Deutsch 
> Russian 
> Chinese 
Read more about the drafting procedure in English, Français, Español
The replies of governments and constituents to the questionnaire should be received by the Office by August 2008. Based on these replies, the Office will prepare a second report consisting of a summary of the replies and draft conclusions for the first Conference discussion that will be sent to the constituents by January 2009.
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